Bug 80033

Summary: Wishlist: Make device:/ automatically unmount?
Product: [Frameworks and Libraries] kio Reporter: Luke Sandell <sandell>
Component: mediaAssignee: Kevin Ottens <ervin>
Status: RESOLVED INTENTIONAL    
Severity: wishlist    
Priority: NOR    
Version: unspecified   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Compiled Sources   
OS: Linux   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed In:

Description Luke Sandell 2004-04-20 23:53:35 UTC 
Version:            (using KDE KDE 3.2.0)
Installed from:    Compiled From Sources
OS:          Linux

Here's an idea for you that would make mtools and supermount obsolete for KDE.

Devices are automatically mounted whenever the corresponding device:/ URL is requested. The function I am proposing is to automatically unmount the device when the mount point is no longer accessed by any applications. (Note: I am not suggesting we unmount explicit mounting done via the query string or context menu. Sometimes a user may want a device to remain mounted even after they are no longer accessing it.)

I'm not sure exactly how this could be accomplished, because I am not that knowledgable about UNIX programming. Do applications place locks on directories when they enter them? If so, you could have it unmount as soon as there are no locks on the mount point. Or you could have it unmount as soon as there are no KIO jobs with paths under the mount point.

If this were implemented, then I could have a simple link to e.g. devices:/devfd0mntfloppy in my Save As... dialog. I would click the link, and automatic mounting would occur. Then I would click OK, the file would save. The device would then automatically unmount whenever the program exited!

This sounds like a good deal to me! However, I know it would take a lot of work so it is just a food for thought.
Comment 1 Luke Sandell 2004-04-20 23:55:36 UTC 
I'm sorry, I meant to mark this as a wish. I don't know how to set it now.
Comment 2 Niels Sascha Reedijk 2004-04-21 07:33:49 UTC 
Setting to wishlist, as was intended.
Comment 3 Nicolas Goutte 2005-08-23 12:52:24 UTC 
See also bug #111173
Comment 4 Thiago Macieira 2005-08-23 13:06:53 UTC 
kio_devices is no more.

Kévin, your take again.
Comment 5 Kevin Ottens 2005-09-23 23:42:34 UTC 
Just like for #111173, it's a WONTFIX to me. Implementing this means basically
implementing just another automounter. That shouldn't be done in KDE but on a
lower level IMHO, just like some distros are already doing.